Happy Homemaker Monday: March 31, 2025

 I wish this was a happier Homemaker Monday. Yesterday, my nearly 12 year old cat Renfield, passed away. We're all heartbroken, understandably. I took the day off work and have been wandering the house, doing chores, puffy-eyed. The house feels strangely empty even though I have other pets. Ren was my constant companion and I won't say he was my favorite, but...he was. We got him when Goose was just a baby and even though everybody told me not to get a cat with a new baby in the house, I knew better. He loved Goose from the moment he laid eyes on her. It's Goose's first huge animal heartbreak. We lost Ghost a bit over a year ago, but she's matured so much since then. It's been a lot of tears in our house the last 24 hours. I need to get my mind straight though, so here we go with this post. 

The weather in my neck of the woods: So much rain...not flood level, and we are grateful for all of it, as there have been a lot of forest fires/wildfires here in the mountains. It's pouring down quite a bit right now, and while I have a headache from the air pressure changes, I'm so incredibly grateful. I read somewhere that next week, we have a chance for more snow, which is honestly not unexpected here in April...or even May.

As I look outside my window: It's pouring the rain, and the sky is grey. The pond is almost at the level it's supposed to be. The mated pair of Canada Geese has returned for another year, and I've heard them honking intermittently throughout the day. 

Right now, I am: Laying on my bed, typing up this post. Goose just showed me a drawing she did of some very cute cats. 

Something fun to share (A blog, a video, tip) Watch out for salamanders!!! Ella and I couldn't sleep last night so we walked over by the pond and ran across four salamanders and a cool frog. The rainy season and the dark of night are two of their favorite things. 

ALSO...There was a lunar eclipse earlier this month and Ella and I stayed up to watch it...which may have been a mistake because I dragged the entire next day, but. 

lol that last one is rough, but it was the only one where I caught the red. 

Thinking and Pondering: I miss my cat. My bed seems too big. I have a headache. I don't think I ate enough today. But I'm so incredibly grateful for the time that we did have with him. He grew up with both my girls and he was so incredibly loyal to me. 

On my bedside table: BOOOOOOOOOOOKS. And lotion and linen spray and a doctor pepper and a ton of pens. 

On my TV: Will Trent, Next Level Chef, and Happy's Place (Because I love Reba McEntire). I think I'll rewatch Reba, too...though I've been watching Dance Moms (I love me a good train wreck). 

On the menu for this week: Heaven only knows, ha. I have planned til Wednesday (Creamy Comfort Chicken, Cube Steak and Potatoes, and Chicken Orzo Soup, in that order.). I haven't thought past Wednesday, and I likely won't until I am at the grocery store. 

On my to-do list: Tonight? Make dinner and survive. This week? Clear space on the plant shelves for Ren's urn when we get it back. He loved the houseplants but wasn't allowed to touch them and spent many moments staring at them longingly. Spring cleaning. Clearing out donatables. Planting dahlias. 

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting, creating: I honestly don't know yet. But lovely gardens on paper. Soon to be translated to the ground. 

My simple pleasure: Resting and sunlight and sleep. Also, good books. 

From the camera: 

The most amazing cat that ever did live, and ever did love. But I say this about all of them. Renfield Fenwick, April 17, 2013-March 30, 2025

Bible Verse, Devotional: 

Have a beautiful week!